Babcock International Group to join Future Cities Forum in Bristol this month

Image: Brendan Staniforth - courtesy of Babcock International

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Babcock International Group will be joining our 'Innovation Cities' discussion hosted by Deloitte this month, in the Halo Building, Finzels Reach, Bristol.

Brendan Staniforth, Business Planning Director, will be speaking about the value of additional economic growth that the firm will bring to the city of Plymouth via the recently announced Team Plymouth initiative. The city has suffered from low levels of investment since end of the second world war but it has recently been named one of five key national defence growth areas in the UK Defence Industrial Strategy.

Brendan is based at Babcock International Group's Devonport facility in Plymouth. Co-located with HMNB Devonport, it is the largest dockyard in Western Europe. Babcock owns and operates the main refit, maintenance and workshop area of the 330-acre naval site, where they provide through-life support for submarines, surface ships and associated systems and equipment. Working in partnership with the MOD at Devonport, Babcock provides through-life support for submarines, surface ships and associated systems and equipment as part of its continuing commitment to support the nation’s naval capability.

Devonport is a busy operational, training and support base for both submarines and surface ships including visiting international naval vessels. The base is the home port for all ships in the Royal Navy (RN) amphibious fleet, half of the RN frigate fleet and a number of RN submarines and survey vessels. Devonport is also home to Royal Navy Sea Training and Royal Marine Commando and its craft.

Babcock’s facilities at Devonport include the UK’s sole licensed site for the refitting and refuel/defuel of nuclear-powered submarines, where Trafalgar and Vanguard-Class submarines undergo major refits and upgrades.

Devonport also has docks, including a dedicated, covered Frigate Support Centre, where the company maintains, refits, converts and modernises sophisticated modern surface warships. Complex systems are removed, overhauled, tested and installed with the support of on-site workshops.

As well as planned major refit and modernisation projects, that take vessels out of service, Babcock provides considerable in-service engineering maintenance support including a rapid reaction team to deal with issues that may arise on operational vessels wherever and whenever they need it. The company provides a complete naval base management service to support all activities at Devonport, from the provision of all waterfront services, through the management of extensive above and below ground infrastructure and plant, to the control and supply of utilities and logistics. This involves the operation, maintenance and renewal of both historic and modern systems and infrastructure to the highest standards and regulatory control.

Plymouth City Council recently commented on the announcement of the five key national defence growth areas in the UK Defence Industrial Strategy:.

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'A team of city organisations that form Team Plymouth, formerly Growth Alliance Plymouth, have today warmly welcomed the landmark designation that marks a transformative moment for our city and region, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for economic development, innovation and community prosperity.

'Backed by a £250 million UK-wide investment, this landmark designation marks a pivotal moment for the city, opening up access to new opportunities that can shift the dial on Plymouth’s economic trajectory and unlock long-term prosperity for local communities and future generations.

'The newly launched Team Plymouth will strengthen collaboration between key organisations, foster innovation and create high-quality jobs. This strategic partnership positions Plymouth to lead in defence, marine autonomy, and advanced manufacturing, securing its place at the forefront of national resilience and regional renewal.

'The announcement builds on a series of recent major developments, including Plymouth’s designation as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy, a £350 million investment by defence tech firm Helsing, Babcock’s expansion into Sherford, with a new Integrated Logistics Hub and Advanced Manufacturing Base and the confirmation of Plymouth and South Devon Freeport as a Defence Strategic Investment Zone.

'The Ministry of Defence’s £4.4 billion investment into HM Naval Base Devonport and Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard is supporting the next phase of the Royal Navy’s submarine programme and the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD), with operations extending through to at least 2070'